Themes

Conflict and Change

• Introduction

• In Focus: 1900

  • Surface Fleet

  • Submarines

  • Royal Marines

  • Fleet Air Arm

• In Focus: World War One

• In Focus: Interwar

• In Focus: World War Two

• In Focus: Post War Conflict

• In Focus: Cold War Climate

• In Focus: Falklands and Beyond

• Special Exhibition: Falklands 25

Learning

• How To: Understand Propaganda

• Propaganda Image Galleries

• Education Project: Sea With Your Own Eyes

1900s: The beginnings of the Submarine Service

Article Highlights

• Introduction

• Acceptance of submarines

• Holland I

• British designed submarines

• 'Overseas' submarines

British designed Submarines

Various A class submarines moored at dock, c.1909

A Class submarines were the first British designed boats. They were a development of the earlier Holland submarines, with improvements in design and engine power. They were larger than the previous Holland class and from HMS A2 onwards had two torpedo tubes. Construction of thirteen A class boats took place from 1903-08.

The B and C Classes followed, again developed from the Holland boats. These early designs had many faults though, such as the dangerous fumes released from the petrol engines, and the batteries that powered their electric motors tended to give off hydrogen and corrode quickly. When dived they were difficult to control and the conditions inside were very basic.

Related External Links

• Royal Navy Submarine Museum - Holland 1

• Submarine Heritage - Holland 1

• Wikipedia - HMS A8